Why the Buff formation is the most unbalancing item in the game.

[Steve]

Is it just me, or is an important part of this entire equation being severely glossed over in this thread?

It isn't that bombers are too hard to shoot down.  The issue is that they are too hard to INTERCEPT BEFORE they have the chance to deliver their payloads, which makes them unreasonably powerful when it comes to a single formation shutting down the FH's on an airbase, for instance.

But whatever, I guess...

I think buffs should show up on Dar sooner(farther out) and that their dot on dar should be a different color to reperesent the larger radar signature they would reflect.

[dkff49]

I think buffs should show up on Dar sooner(farther out) and that their dot on dar should be a different color to reperesent the larger radar signature they would reflect.

I think instead of this though the radar should indicate 3 dots in formation.

Don't quote me here but I think the radar of the period would at least show the number of craft approaching. I am sure that someone will chime in here to confirm of correct.

I think this is the best change that could be made to game in regards to the OP's complaint about bombers, but I don't think that they shouild eliminate the formations.

[Steve]

I think instead of this though the radar should indicate 3 dots in formation.

Same difference only my way would clutter dar less.

[dkff49]

Same difference only my way would clutter dar less.

yes same but some pilots in game do very well flying in formation as well and still leave a small chance of an element of surprise.

same general idea but with small positives for either.

[BnZ]

Yes, I have been convinced that no formations would give the buffer too little chance of actually putting any bombs on targets. I believe the ideas of making bombers readily identifiable on radar and limiting the defensive firepower to one position from all 3 bombers are better.

[spit16nooby]

all it takes is people when a group from my squad attacks buffs they r dead and quickly

[Steve]

all it takes is people when a group from my squad attacks buffs they r dead and quickly

::snicker::

[BuckP]

As an almost exclusive bomber pilot for the Sic Pups on the bishops, I don't see how buffs are an unbalanced item in the game.  Flying solo with any of the heavies, as a bomber pilot, success depends upon how one chooses the target.  Sure, with a few passes over a small or medium base, one formation can cause serious problems.  However, one fighter with angles causes major problems for the buffs.  Two fighters attacking the formation with coordination compounds the difficulty for the buff pilot exponentially.

Even with linked guns it is by all means not a guaranteed kill for the bomber.  We all love to see the attacking fighter making the 6 o'clock approach (hell, Sic Pups even slow down to help those fighters out  ), but the guys making highspeed angled passes is almost a sure bet to get one bomber if not all 3.

Regarding this threads topic, things are fine as they are, in my opinion.  Both bomber pilots and the attacking fighters should learn the best tactics for offense/defense in this case. 

[bustr]

Summary of this thread:

Unhappy fighter pilot: Waaaaaa.....I can't tell where the bombers are or even when to up to look for them.

Happy Bomber Pilot: Nener nener nener......



Steve had a good idea. Make the bomber dot a different color and have it show up on dar 2x dar ring out.

[stephen]

I hunt bombers.... lol

[999000]

Guys and Gals, really no need to hunt bombers ...we usually are just trying to drop bibles on the town for our prisoneers.<S> 999000

[choker41]

This whole thread is preposterous.  Really think about this.  I see bombers I lick my chops.  I want to go after them.  I'll take a minute or two to study the map to see if anything is coming out of a high alt base.  I suppose who started this well see buffs while flying a spit and thinks he can kill em.  Take the right plane for the job.  We don't up spit I's and Hurri MkI to kill town.  Grab a heavy cannon plane like Chog.  They can take abuse from 50 cals.  Better yet take a jug.  They are aw some at high alt.  The TA 152 is a bomber hunter.  I've chased b17's up to 30K before and it really works well.  The thing is you take a zero or some paper airplane up to hunt a bomber, well most of us will put u in the tower.  Be smart about your attacks and don't try to sneak up on there 6.  Try the German air to air rockets.  AH has lots of good bomber killers at your disposal, you just need to practice and execute better.  There are signs of a noob in the gunners position.  You see him shooting 2k Plus then let em exhaust his rounds.  Either way he probably cant hit you diving in on him from 4o'clock or 8o'clock position.  I'm sure everybody has a different bomber killer but I like these the best.  Try a Mosquito as well. 

[442w30]

OTOH, the OP is right that it takes time to set up these attacks and the short distances between bases means that it's not always practical.

Some ideas I've had:

Have buffs show on dar farther out.

Have buffs show on dar as a different color than other radar cons. They have a bigger radar signature, is this unrealistic?(historically speaking)

Link the drone guns by position. In other words, if the gunner is in the tail position, only the tail guns of all three planes would fire.

Reduce bomber accuracy as related to bomber speed.

Thoughts?

While some have commented on these ideas, I think it is fair to say that it hasn't been enough.  Excellent ideas on the increased dar range, bombsight accuracy and dar color.  They all make a lot of sense and would possibly be an enhancement to the gaming experience that would get more people to bomber hunt.

[Chalenge]

Special icons on dar?    colors?  You get one dar bar going to HQ and no one ups to stop it. This change would make no difference. Its easy to find bombers now and yet you are asking for a special aid to point them out? Steve this doesnt sound like you... maybe you were tired when you suggested it?

[Steve]

Special icons on dar?    colors?  You get one dar bar going to HQ and no one ups to stop it. This change would make no difference. Its easy to find bombers now and yet you are asking for a special aid to point them out? Steve this doesnt sound like you... maybe you were tired when you suggested it?

Bomber looked different on dar historically... your poorly conncealed insult is noted.